Lady Gens advance to volleyball finals

The General Amherst Lady Gens Sr. volleyball team took a few more steps in defending the WECSSAA championship this past week.

After disposing of the Walkerville Tartans in three straight games in the quarter-finals (25-9, 25-17, 25-12) the Lady Gens focused their attention on the Kennedy Clippers.

Kaylee Williams throws down a spike against Kennedy.

Amherst showed the same type of mercy that they showed their previous opponent, defeating the Clippers three straight games by almost identical scores, 25-10, 25-17 and 25-17.

“We had more balance and depth than them (Kennedy) and we utilized that. We passed pretty well, served pretty well and played good defense,” said coach Jeff Miller. “When we do that teams are going to have a tough time against us.”

Miller said the Lady Gens’ defense was up to the standards that he and coach Mary Ewer expect from them.

“We took care of things on our side of the net and never gave them a chance to get into the game and that’s what better teams have to do,” said Miller.

Both Miller and Ewer said they were nervous heading into the matchup with Kennedy because they were missing one of their starters due to injury. Ashley Parent sat out her second straight game after injuring her ankle in practice earlier in the week.

Jessica Bondy took Parent’s place in the starting lineup.

“Jessica really stepped in and did a great job,” said Ewer. “She covered the floor well and her serves were spot on.”

Miller gave credit to the Clippers for battling for every ball. He said they were able to play some balls that he thought would be unplayable.

After the game, an elated Bondy said the team was also; nervous coming into the semi-final game. However, after the first few rallies the nerves went away and the Lady Gens “went to work.”

“That was so much fun. We all had a really good time out there today,” said Bondy.
Bondy admits the Lady Gens took their foot off the pedal in the second set, which allowed the Clippers to gain a little momentum.

“Their middle started to get some really solid hits,” said Bondy. “We were able to pick it up again and we rocked it.”

With the Lady Gens’ semi-final win, it sets up a finals matchup against Essex.
Amherst beat Essex three straight games in the regular season, however Bondy said the games were very tight.

“We are evenly matched up,” said Bondy. “We just have to tire them out.”
Miller said the Lady Gens would take the long weekend to “recharge their batteries” then come back on Tuesday and focus on Essex.

The WECSSAA finals will be played on Thursday night at 7 p.m. in the General Amherst gymnasium.

“It will probably be a good crowd with a lot of energy,” said Miller. “It should be a good game.”